150. Tolkien’s Battle Tactics – The Hobbit #35
Exploring Tolkien11 Marras 2025

150. Tolkien’s Battle Tactics – The Hobbit #35

Did Tolkien “earn” The Battle of the Five Armies, or is the surprise enough to justify its existence? In this episode, we look at Tolkien’s climactic battle from The Hobbit, comparing how it unfolds on the page to its chaotic portrayal in the extended film edition. How do armies materialize so suddenly, and does Tolkien set the stage well enough for the goblin onslaught?

Check out the Battle of the Five Armies Map!

We also explore:

  • Tolkien’s battle tactics vs Peter Jackson’s video game tactics.
  • Why did Bilbo chooses the Elven King’s side?
  • Trying to make sense of Peter Jackson’s battle map vs Tolkien’s map.
  • Tolkien’s knowledge of medieval warfare.
  • Is Thorin’s charge from the gate truly enough to change the tide of battle?

In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about:

  • Whether the goblin army’s sudden arrival is really “earned” in the story, or if Tolkien’s plotting gives us room to quibble.
  • How small additions could have made the battle less sudden—should there have been hints via raven messenger?
  • Where would a talking Raven fit into The Lord of the Rings.

🔗 Episode Links
The History of The Hobbit
The Annotated Hobbit
Join our Discord Community (for free)
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Get the Extended Podcast
Become a Patreon Member
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The History of The Hobbit
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion

The Children of Hurin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Jaksot(162)

49. Elven genetics! Race-baiting! Half-elf lies! | Of the Voyage of Eärendil – The Silmarillion – 32

49. Elven genetics! Race-baiting! Half-elf lies! | Of the Voyage of Eärendil – The Silmarillion – 32

Michael, Dan, and Jonathan finish the first age of Middle-earth! We see the final destruction that Fēanor’s Silmarils wrought, how Ēarendil’s desperate hope drove him to Valinor, and determine that–no...

2 Touko 20230s

48. Fellowship Fridays Live | NEW Lord of the Rings Movies, Rings of Power DIED, Gollum Game| #1

48. Fellowship Fridays Live | NEW Lord of the Rings Movies, Rings of Power DIED, Gollum Game| #1

Here’s a bonus podcast this week — our inaugural Fellowship Fridays Live discussion! Listen in as Michael Grumbine (from Exploring Tolkien), John Trent from Bounding into Comics, John Carswell From Th...

30 Huhti 20230s

47. The Sea is Always Right! – Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin – The Silmarillion – 31

47. The Sea is Always Right! – Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin – The Silmarillion – 31

The last great stronghold of the elves falls to Morgoth, even though Ulmo has been right to warn them all along. This penultimate chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion sets the stage for the final battle...

25 Huhti 20230s

46. What’s Good in the Rings of Power?! – with The Middle-earth Mixer

46. What’s Good in the Rings of Power?! – with The Middle-earth Mixer

Podcaster, Tweeter, and Tolkien fan, we chat with The Middle-earth Mixer about Tolkien, The Rings of Power, and where these upcoming new films from Warner Bros might be going: • How the movies were hi...

18 Huhti 20230s

45. Real Middle-earth Bling – Of The Ruin of Doriath – The Silmarillion – 30

45. Real Middle-earth Bling – Of The Ruin of Doriath – The Silmarillion – 30

Morgoth’s curse over Hurin and the Curse of Mandos over the Noldor come join forces and end up destroying the the oldest elven kingdom from the inside out.  When the Nauglamir and the Silmaril meet, a...

11 Huhti 20230s

44. Captain Foolhardy! – Of Túrin Turambar, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 29

44. Captain Foolhardy! – Of Túrin Turambar, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 29

In this episode, we find the footsteps of doom overtaking Túrin–despite naming himself “Turambar” (Master of Doom). We take a little extra time to discuss who is more responsible for the doom that lea...

4 Huhti 20230s

43. The Worst Hero – Of Túrin Turumbar, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 28

43. The Worst Hero – Of Túrin Turumbar, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 28

The tale of Túrin Turambar is one of the great stories of Middle-earth — Tolkien even mentions it in 1951 as a possible publication after finishing Lord of the Rings. But it’s COMPLETELY different… Tú...

28 Maalis 20230s

42. Sub-creation is Art, Not Power – with Austin Freeman, author of Tolkien Dogmatics

42. Sub-creation is Art, Not Power – with Austin Freeman, author of Tolkien Dogmatics

Dan, Michael, and I had a thorough, deep, and fun conversation with Austin Freeman, author of “Tolkien Dogmatics”. In our free podcast, we discuss: How Tolkien’s theology is shown in his works (and h...

21 Maalis 20230s

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
the-ulkopolitist
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rikosmyytit
aihe
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
radio-antro
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-sanna-ukkola-show-verkkouutiset